Armenian Rite

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The Armenian Rite is independent liturgy. This rite is used by both the Armenian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Catholic Church. The liturgy of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who is the founder and patron saint of The Armenian Church, is patterned.

Unlike Byzantine Church, churches of the Armenian rite are usually devoid of icons and have a curtain concealing the priest and the altar from the people during parts of the liturgy, an influence from early apostolic times. The use of bishop's mitre and of unleavened bread, is reminiscent of the influence Western missionaries once had upon both the monophysite Orthodox Armenians as well as upon the Armenian Uniate Catholics.